Wireless communication system, terminal, method for reporting status of terminal, and progam

ABSTRACT

A wireless communication system includes a plurality of terminals connected to at least one wireless network on the basis of authority of security configuration parameters shared by the plurality of terminals. Each of the plurality of terminals revokes security configuration parameters of the terminal itself or security configuration parameters of another terminal in accordance with an agreement with said another terminal.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese PatentApplication JP 2005-230261 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Aug.9, 2005 and Japanese Patent Application JP 2006-188745 filed in theJapanese Patent Office on Jul. 10, 2006, the entire contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to wireless communication systems, andmore particularly, to a wireless communication system that authenticatesthe authority of access to a wireless network by using securityconfiguration parameters, such as an attribute certificate, a terminalused in the wireless communication system, a method for reporting thestatus of the terminal, and a program for causing a computer to executethe method for reporting the status of the terminal.

2. Description of the Related Art

Due to miniaturization and improvement in performance of electronicapparatuses, it has become easier to carry and use such electronicapparatuses. Thus, an environment that allows a terminal to be connectedto a network and to achieve communication at any place necessary hasbeen desired. In such a situation, wireless communication systemsutilizing wireless communication are adopted.

In wireless communication systems, in order to prevent access from aterminal that does not have an authority of connection with a certainnetwork resource, authorization control utilizing attribute certificates(ACs) is performed. Attribute certificates were newly defined by theX.509 version 3 in March 2000, and the contents of data fields containedin attribute certificates were collectively defined as Standards-TrackRequest for Comments (RFC) in April 2002. The use of an attributecertificate as an access pass to a network resource enables confirmationof the authority of connection with the network resource, and connectionpermission can be granted only to a terminal holding a connectionlicense.

In order to forcibly revoke an issued attribute certificate, anattribute-certificate revocation list has been used. For example, asystem utilizing an attribute-certificate revocation list including anentry, which is a pair of an attribute certificate identifier and arevocation time, has been suggested, for example, in Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publication No. 2004-260803 (FIG. 1).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the above-described known technology, when an attribute certificateis used as security configuration parameters, an attribute-certificaterevocation list is used to revoke the attribute certificate. However,such an attribute-certificate revocation list is indirect. Thus, aterminal refers to the attribute-certificate revocation list every timethe terminal receives an authentication request from another terminal.

In addition, in a wireless ad-hoc network or the like that does notinclude a server controlling an attribute-certificate revocation list,it is necessary to provide a mechanism for issuing attribute-certificaterevocation lists autonomously in a decentralized fashion and fordistributing the attribute-certificate revocation lists to terminals onthe wireless network. In this case, due to instability of the ad-hocnetwork, the attribute-certificate revocation lists may not besuccessfully distributed to the terminals. This may cause a problem inwhich intended revocation of an attribute certificate is delayed.

In general, a procedure for directly deleting security configurationparameters, such as an attribute certificate, on a setting screen isavailable. However, if users who are not familiar with systems performthis procedure, they may have trouble with complicated processing steps.In addition, this procedure is not adoptable for terminals not providedwith an output device, such as a display.

It is desirable to provide a mechanism for directly revoking securityconfiguration parameters, such as an attribute certificate, on the basisof mutual agreement with another terminal.

A wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention includes a plurality of terminals connected to atleast one wireless network on the basis of authority of securityconfiguration parameters, such as an attribute certificate, shared bythe plurality of terminals. Each of the plurality of terminals revokessecurity configuration parameters, such as an attribute certificate, ofthe terminal itself or security configuration parameters, such as anattribute certificate, of another terminal in accordance with anagreement with the another terminal. Thus, a wireless terminal revokessecurity configuration parameters, such as an attribute certificate, inaccordance with an agreement with another wireless terminal.

A wireless communication system according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention includes a plurality of terminals that includes afirst terminal and a second terminal and that is connected to at leastone wireless network on the basis of authority of security configurationparameters, such as an attribute certificate, shared by the plurality ofterminals. Each of the first terminal and the second terminal includesoperation status holding means for holding information on whether or notan operation status of the terminal itself has entered a revocationoperation mode, and operation receiving means for shifting a mode of theterminal itself so that the operation status holding means indicates therevocation operation mode when receiving an operation for causing theterminal itself to enter the revocation operation mode. The firstterminal includes report signal receiving means for receiving a reportsignal indicating whether or not the second terminal has entered therevocation operation mode, and revocation request transmitting means fortransmitting to the second terminal a revocation request for requestingrevocation of the security configuration parameters, such as anattribute certificate, of the second terminal when the report signalreceiving means receives the report signal indicating that the secondterminal entered the revocation operation, mode within a predeterminedperiod of time from the transition of the operation status of the firstterminal to the revocation operation mode. The second terminal includesrevocation request receiving means for receiving from the first terminalthe revocation request for requesting revocation of the securityconfiguration parameters, such as an attribute certificate, of thesecond terminal, and revocation executing means for revoking thesecurity configuration parameters, such as an attribute certificate, ofthe second terminal when the revocation request receiving means receivesthe revocation request when the second terminal has entered therevocation operation mode. Thus, the first terminal, which first entersthe revocation operation mode, transmits a revocation request, and thesecond terminal, which receives the revocation request, revokes securityconfiguration parameters, such as an attribute certificate, currentlybeing used by the second terminal.

A terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention usedin a wireless communication system in which a plurality of terminals isconnected to at least one wireless network on the basis of authority ofsecurity configuration parameters, such as an attribute certificate,shared by the plurality of terminals includes operation status holdingmeans for holding information on whether or not an operation status ofthe terminal has entered a revocation operation mode; operationreceiving means for shifting a mode of the terminal so that theoperation status holding means indicates the revocation operation modewhen receiving an operation for causing the terminal to enter therevocation operation mode; report signal receiving means for receiving areport signal indicating whether or not another terminal has entered therevocation operation mode; revocation request transmitting means fortransmitting to the another terminal a revocation request for requestingrevocation of the security configuration parameters, such as anattribute certificate, of the another terminal when the report signalreceiving means receives the report signal indicating that the anotherterminal entered the revocation operation mode within a predeterminedperiod of time from the transition of the operation status of theterminal held in the operation status holding means to the revocationoperation mode; revocation request receiving means for receiving fromthe another terminal a revocation request for requesting revocation ofthe security configuration parameters, such as an attribute certificate,of the terminal; and revocation processing means for revoking thesecurity configuration parameters, such as an attribute certificate, ofthe terminal when the revocation request receiving means receives fromthe another terminal the revocation request for requesting revocation ofthe security configuration parameters, such as an attribute certificate,of the terminal when the terminal has entered the revocation operationmode. As described above, when the terminal entered the revocationoperation mode before transition of the another terminal to therevocation operation mode, the terminal transmits a revocation request.In addition, when the terminal entered the revocation operation modeafter transition of the another terminal to the revocation operationmode, the terminal receives a revocation request from the anotherterminal and revokes security configuration parameters, such as anattribute certificate, currently being used by the terminal.

A terminal according to a fourth embodiment of the present inventionused in a wireless communication system in which a plurality ofterminals is connected to at least one wireless network on the basis ofauthority of security configuration parameters, such as an attributecertificate, shared by the plurality of terminals includes operationstatus holding means for holding information on whether or not anoperation status of the terminal has entered a revocation operationmode; operation receiving means for shifting a mode of the terminal sothat the operation status holding means indicates the revocationoperation mode when receiving an operation for causing the terminal toenter the revocation operation mode; report signal receiving means forreceiving a report signal indicating whether or not another terminal hasentered the revocation operation mode; and revocation processing meansfor transmitting to the another terminal a revocation request forrequesting revocation of the security configuration parameters, such asan attribute certificate, of the another terminal when the report signalreceiving means receives the report signal indicating that the anotherterminal entered the revocation operation mode within a predeterminedperiod of time from the transition of the operation status of theterminal held in the operation status holding means to the revocationoperation mode. Thus, the terminal, which entered the revocationoperation mode before the transition of the another terminal to therevocation operation mode, transmits a revocation request for requestingrevocation of security configuration parameters, such as an attributecertificate, of the another terminal.

In addition, in this embodiment, the revocation processing means maycheck the position of the another terminal before transmitting therevocation request and may transmit the revocation request only when theanother terminal is located within a predetermined range. Thus, arevocation request not intended by a user can be prevented from beingtransmitted.

In addition, in this embodiment, when an acknowledgment for therevocation request is not received from the another terminal within thepredetermined period of time from the transition of the terminal to therevocation operation mode, the revocation processing means may indicateinformation indicating that revocation on the another terminal has beenunsuccessfully performed. Thus, the fact that revocation of securityconfiguration parameters, such as an attribute certificate, has not beencompleted can be reported to the user.

In addition, in this embodiment, the operation receiving means mayinclude a push button. This push button, that is, a revoke button, maybe a single-purpose button for achieving a revocation operation mode.Alternatively, the revoke button may be a multi-purpose button. Thus,the present invention can be applied to a portable apparatus including asimple user interface.

A terminal according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention usedin a wireless communication system in which a plurality of terminals isconnected to at least one wireless network on the basis of authority ofsecurity configuration parameters, such as an attribute certificate,shared by the plurality of terminals includes operation status holdingmeans for holding information on whether or not an operation status ofthe terminal has entered a revocation operation mode; operationreceiving means for shifting a mode of the terminal so that theoperation status holding means indicates the revocation operation modewhen receiving an operation for causing the terminal to enter therevocation operation mode; revocation request receiving means forreceiving from another terminal a revocation request for requestingrevocation of the security configuration parameters, such as anattribute certificate, of the terminal; and revocation processing meansfor revoking the security configuration parameters, such as an attributecertificate, of the terminal when the revocation request receiving meansreceives from the another terminal the revocation request for requestingrevocation of the security configuration parameters, such as anattribute certificate, of the terminal when the terminal has entered therevocation operation mode. Thus, the terminal, which entered therevocation operation mode after the transition of the another terminalto the revocation operation mode, receives a revocation request, andrevokes security configuration parameters, such as an attributecertificate, of the terminal.

In addition, in the fifth embodiment, the revocation processing meansmay check the position of the another terminal before revoking thesecurity configuration parameters, such as an attribute certificate, ofthe terminal and may revoke the security configuration parameters, suchas an attribute certificate, of the terminal only when the anotherterminal is located within a predetermined range. Thus, revocation ofsecurity configuration parameters, such as an attribute certificate, notintended by a user can be prevented.

In addition, in the fifth embodiment, after revoking the securityconfiguration parameters, such as an attribute certificate, of theterminal in response to the revocation request, the revocationprocessing means may transmit to the another terminal a revocationacknowledgment indicating that the security configuration parameters,such as an attribute certificate, of the terminal have been revoked.Thus, the fact that revocation of security configuration parameters,such as an attribute certificate, has been completed can be reported tothe another terminal, which transmitted the revocation request.

In addition, in the fifth embodiment, the operation receiving means mayinclude a push button. Thus, the present invention can be applied to aportable apparatus including a simple user interface.

A terminal control method or a program for causing a computer to executeprocessing according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention in awireless communication system in which a plurality of terminals isconnected to at least one wireless network on the basis of authority ofsecurity configuration parameters, such as an attribute certificate,shared by the plurality of terminals includes the steps of causing aterminal to enter a revocation operation mode; receiving a report signalindicating whether or not another terminal has entered the revocationoperation mode; and transmitting to the another terminal a revocationrequest for requesting revocation of the security configurationparameters, such as an attribute certificate, of the another terminalwhen report signal receiving means receives the report signal indicatingthat the another terminal entered the revocation operation mode within apredetermined period of time from the transition of the operation statusof the terminal held in operation status holding means to the revocationoperation mode. Thus, when the terminal entered the revocation operationmode before transition of the another terminal to the revocationoperation mode, the terminal transmits a revocation request. Inaddition, when the terminal entered the revocation operation mode afterthe transition of the another terminal to the revocation operation mode,the terminal receives a revocation request from the another terminal andrevokes security configuration parameters, such as an attributecertificate, currently being used by the terminal.

Accordingly, on a wireless network, a terminal is capable of directlyrevoking shared security configuration. parameters in accordance with amutual agreement with another terminal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C shows examples of the connection relationshipbetween wireless terminals in a wireless communication system accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an example of the functional configuration of a wirelessterminal in the embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows an example of the frame configuration of a beacon used inthe embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of an adjacent terminallist used in the embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of anattribute-certificate-issuing terminal list used in the embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a public key certificateheld in the attribute-certificate issuing terminal list used in theembodiment;

FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of an attribute certificatelist used in the embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of an attribute certificateheld in the attribute certificate list used in the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process performed by the wireless terminal inthe embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an entry deletion process in the embodiment;

FIG. 11 shows an example of a connection state between wirelessterminals in the wireless communication system according to theembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a sequence flow diagram showing a revocation processperformed by the wireless terminals in the wireless communication systemaccording to the embodiment; and

FIG. 13 shows an example of a state after the revocation process isperformed by the wireless terminals in the wireless communication systemaccording to the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments in which an attribute certificate is used as securityconfiguration parameters will now be described as examples withreference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1A to 1C show examples of the connection relationship betweenwireless terminals in a wireless communication system according to anembodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1A, a wirelessterminal A (11) and a wireless terminal B (12) are connected to awireless network in accordance with their authorities based on attributecertificates 21 and 22, respectively. The wireless terminal A includes apublic key certificate 31, and the wireless terminal B includes a publickey certificate 32. The public key certificates 31 and 32 include publickeys for verifying attribute certificates 21 and 22, respectively.

The wireless terminal A is provided with a revoke button 41, and thewireless terminal B is provided with a revoke button 42. When thewireless terminals A and B are placed in a predetermined positionalrelationship, as shown in FIG. 1B, if the revoke buttons 41 and 42 arepressed, the wireless terminals A and B enter a revocation operationmode. For example, the predetermined positional relationship is achievedby bringing the wireless terminals A and B close to each other with adistance of about 10 cm therebetween or by causing the wirelessterminals A and B to direct directional infrared rays to each other.When the revoke buttons 41 and 42 are pressed in such a positionalrelationship, it is recognized that the wireless terminals A and B agreeto execute a revocation operation. Thus, one of the wireless terminals Aand B, which have entered the revocation operation mode, transmits arevocation request for requesting revocation of an attribute certificateto the other one of the wireless terminals A and B. The other one of thewireless terminals A and B receives the revocation request, revokes theattribute certificate, and transmits a revocation acknowledgement.

For example, a case where a wireless terminal that first entered therevocation operation mode transmits a revocation request is considered.When the wireless terminal A first entered the revocation operationmode, the wireless terminal A transmits a revocation request to thewireless terminal B. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1C, the wireless terminal Brevokes the attribute certificate 22 and the public key certificate 32.As a result, the wireless terminal B is disconnected from the wirelessnetwork formed by the wireless terminal A and the wireless terminal B.

A case where two wireless terminals enter the revocation operation modehas been described above. However, when three or more wireless terminalsenter the revocation operation mode, a process similar to a revocationprocess performed between two wireless terminals can be performed byspecifying a destination terminal in accordance with a positionalrelationship. For example, after a wireless terminal A enters therevocation operation mode, wireless terminals B and C also enter therevocation operation mode. In this case, the wireless terminal A checksthe positional relationship between the wireless terminals A, B, and C.Then, for example, the wireless terminal A transmits a revocationrequest to a wireless terminal that is located closest to the wirelessterminal A. Here, the positional relationship is not necessarily basedon distance. The positional relationship may be based on predeterminedpositions realized by causing terminals to direct directional infraredrays to each other.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the functional configuration of a wirelessterminal 100 according to this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, thewireless terminal 100 includes a revocation processor 110, an operationgroup identifier holder 130, an operation receiving unit 140, anoperation status holder 150, a beacon generator 160, a communicationunit 170, a display unit 180, an adjacent terminal list 500, anattribute-certificate-issuing terminal list. 600, and an attributecertificate list 700.

The revocation processor 110 performs a revocation process for revokingan attribute certificate with other wireless terminals. In thisembodiment, a wireless terminal has two modes, a revocation operationmode in which a revocation process is performed and a normal mode inwhich other operations are performed. One of two wireless terminals thatfirst enters the revocation operation mode serves as arevocation-requesting terminal (Revoker), which requests revocation ofan attribute certificate of the other one of the wireless terminals, andthe other one of the wireless terminals that next enters the revocationoperation mode serves as a terminal subjected to revocation (Revokee),which is requested to revoke its attribute certificate. In this case,the revocation processor 110 performs processing for requestingrevocation of an attribute certificate and processing for revoking theattribute certificate and transmitting a revocation acknowledgement.

The operation group identifier holder 130 holds a group identifierindicated in a beacon as a group identifier of a network group in whichthe wireless terminal 100 is operating. A group identifier is anidentifier for identifying a network group on a wireless network. Inthis embodiment, a single wireless network is not necessarily used. Anindependent plurality of network groups may be used. In this case, theoperation group identifier holder 130 indicates, using a groupidentifier, a network group to which the wireless terminal 100 isconnected.

The operation receiving unit 140 receives a user operation. Theoperation receiving unit 140 may include a revoke button for causing thewireless terminal 100 to enter the revocation operation mode. The revokebutton may be an independent single-purpose button for causing thewireless terminal 100 to enter the revocation operation mode.Alternatively, the revoke button may be a multi-purpose button.

The operation status holder 150 holds information on whether or not thewireless terminal 100 is in the revocation operation mode. When theoperation receiving unit 140 receives an operation for causing thewireless terminal 100 to enter the revocation operation mode, theoperation status holder 150 holds information indicating that thewireless terminal 100 is in the revocation operation mode. When thewireless terminal 100 is released from the revocation operation mode bythe revocation processor 110 after completion of a revocation process,the operation status holder 150 holds information indicating that thewireless terminal 100 is not in the revocation operation mode.

The beacon generator 160 generates a beacon including a group identifierheld in the operation group identifier holder 130 and an operationstatus held in the operation status holder 150. Since beacons generatedby the beacon generator 160 are regularly broadcasted to other wirelessterminals by the communication unit 170, the group identifier of anetwork group in which the wireless terminal 100 is operating and theoperation status of the wireless terminal 100 are reported to the otherwireless terminals.

The communication unit 170 performs wireless communication with otherwireless terminals. For example, the communication unit 170 transmitsbeacons generated by the beacon generator 160 to other wirelessterminals, and receives beacons from other wireless terminals. Inaddition, the communication unit 170 performs communication necessaryfor processing performed by the revocation processor 110 with otherwireless terminals.

The display unit 180 displays information indicating that processing bythe revocation processor 110 has been unsuccessfully performed. Thedisplay unit 180 may have a simple configuration as long asdetermination of whether or not processing has been successfullyperformed can be seen from the outside.

The adjacent terminal list 500 is a list including wireless terminalslocated adjacent to the wireless terminal 100. Theattribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 600 is a list includinginformation on issuing terminals that have issued attribute certificatesto the wireless terminal 100. The attribute certificate list 700 is alist including attribute certificates owned by the wireless terminal100. The adjacent terminal list 500, the attribute-certificate-issuingterminal list 600, and the attribute certificate list 700 will bedescribed in more detail later.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the frame structure of a beacon 430 used inthis embodiment. The beacon 430 is regularly transmitted by thecommunication unit 170. The beacon 430 includes a transmitting terminalidentifier 431, a receiving terminal identifier 432, an operation groupidentifier 433, and an operation mode 436.

The transmitting terminal identifier 431 indicates a terminal identifierof a transmitting terminal. The receiving terminal identifier 432indicates a terminal identifier of a receiving terminal. In the beacon430, a broadcast address is used as the receiving terminal identifier432.

The operation group identifier 433 indicates a group identifier held inthe operation group identifier holder 130 of a transmitting terminal.The operation group identifier 433 includes a network identifier 434 anda profile identifier 435. A terminal identifier of an issuing terminalthat issues an attribute certificate for connection with a correspondingnetwork group is used as the network identifier 434. A serial number setfor an issuing terminal that issues a corresponding attributecertificate is used as the profile identifier 435. Thus, a network groupcan be uniquely identified.

The operation mode 436 indicates the operation status of a transmittingterminal. For example, the operation mode 436 includes a revocationoperation mode 438. A wireless terminal that receives the beacon 430 iscapable of recognizing whether the transmitting terminal is in the“revocation operation mode” or in the “non-revocation operation mode” byreferring to the revocation operation mode 438.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the adjacent terminallist 500 used in this embodiment. The adjacent terminal list 500 holdsinformation on adjacent terminals in corresponding entries in accordancewith beacons received from other wireless terminals. The adjacentterminal list 500 includes an index 501, a terminal identifier 502, anoperation group identifier 503, and a revocation operation mode 507.

The index 501 indicates a serial number added to each entry. Theterminal identifier 502 indicates a terminal identifier of an adjacentterminal. The operation group identifier 503 indicates a groupidentifier of an adjacent terminal. The revocation operation mode 507indicates whether or not an adjacent terminal is in the revocationoperation mode. The adjacent terminal list 500 is updated every time thecommunication unit 170 receives a beacon from a wireless terminal, andis referred to when the revocation processor 110 performs a revocationprocess.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of theattribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 600 used in this embodiment.The attribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 600 holds information onissuing terminals that issue attribute certificates in correspondingentries. The attribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 600 includes anindex 601, an issuing terminal group identifier 602, an issuing terminalpublic key certificate 605, and an authentication group identifier 606.

The index 601 indicates a serial number added to each entry. The issuingterminal group identifier 602 indicates a group identifier of an issuingterminal. An issuing terminal indicated by the issuing terminal groupidentifier 602 is treated as a “Trustworthy”.

The issuing terminal public key certificate 605 holds a public keycertificate (PKC) of an issuing terminal. The authentication groupidentifier 606 holds a group identifier of the wireless terminal 100when an issuing terminal is added to the attribute-certificate-issuingterminal list 600 of the wireless terminal 100. A wireless terminalindicated by the authentication group identifier 606 is a wirelessterminal that is trusted when an issuing terminal is added.

The attribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 600 is used foracquiring a group identifier and a public key of an issuing terminalwhen mutual authentication is performed. In addition, since theauthentication group identifier 606 is provided, an appropriateattribute certificate can be retrieved even if an issuing terminalissues a plurality of attribute certificates.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a public key certificate410 held in the attribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 600 used inthis embodiment. The public key certificate 410 mainly includes apre-signature certificate 411, a signature algorithm 418, and asignature 419. The pre-signature certificate 411 includes a serialnumber 412, an issuing terminal identifier 414, an expiration date 415,an owner terminal identifier 416, and an owner terminal public key 417.

The serial number 412 indicates a serial number of the public keycertificate 410. The serial number 412 is determined in accordance withan issuing terminal of the public key certificate 410. The issuingterminal identifier 414 is a terminal identifier of the issuing terminalof the public key certificate 410. The public key certificate 410 isuniquely identified in accordance with the issuing terminal identifier414 and the serial number 412. The expiration date 415 indicates anexpiration date of the public key certificate 410. The owner terminalidentifier 416 is a terminal identifier of a terminal that owns thepublic key certificate 410. The owner terminal is a wireless terminalthat receives an issued public key certificate, and a public key of theowner terminal is held as the owner terminal public key 417.

The signature 419 indicates a signature by the issuing terminal of thepublic key certificate 410. The signature algorithm 418 indicates asignature algorithm used for the signature 419. The signature algorithm418 includes a message-digest algorithm and a public-key encryptionalgorithm. The message-digest algorithm is one of hash functions (digestfunctions) and is used for creating a message digest of thepre-signature certificate 411. A message digest is acquired bycompressing input data (the pre-signature certificate 411) into a bitstring of a fixed length and is called a thumb mark, a fingerprint, orthe like. As the message digest algorithm, a secure hash algorithm 1(SHA-1), a message digest #2 (MD2), a message digest #5 (MD5), and thelike are known. The public key encryption algorithm is used forencrypting a message digest acquired by the message-digest algorithm inaccordance with a private key of an issuing terminal of a public keycertificate. As the public key encryption algorithm, aRivest-Shamir-Adelman (RSA) algorithm based on a unique factorizationproblem, a digital signature algorithm (DSA) based on a discreetlogarithm problem, and the like are known. As described above, thesignature 419 is acquired by encrypting a message digest of thepre-signature certificate 411 using a private key of the issuingterminal that issues the public key certificate 410.

Thus, a message digest is acquired by decoding the signature 419 of thepublic key certificate 410 in accordance with a public key of theissuing terminal that issued the public key certificate 410. A user ofthe public key certificate 410 creates a message digest of thepre-signature certificate 411 and compares the message digest of thepre-signature certificate 411 with a message digest decoded inaccordance with the public key of the issuing terminal that issued thepublic key certificate 410. Thus, the user of the public key certificate410 is able to verify that the contents of the pre-signature certificate411 have not been altered.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of the attributecertificate list 700 used in this embodiment. The attribute certificatelist 700 holds attribute certificates issued to the wireless terminal100 in corresponding entries. The attribute certificate list 700includes an index 701, an issuing terminal group identifier 702, and anattribute certificate 705.

The index 701 is a serial number added to each entry. The issuingterminal group identifier 702 indicates a group identifier of an issuingterminal that issues an attribute certificate. The attribute certificate705 indicates an attribute certificate issued by an issuing terminal tothe wireless terminal 100. The attribute certificate 705 included in theattribute certificate list 700 indicates the authority granted to thewireless terminal 100 to access to a network group.

Although a plurality of attribute-certificate-issuing terminals existswithin a network group in the wireless communication system according tothis embodiment, a wireless terminal that receives an attributecertificate issued by any one of the plurality ofattribute-certificate-issuing terminals is capable of joining thenetwork group. If a wireless terminal joins a plurality of differentnetwork groups and receives attribute certificates issued by networkgroups, a plurality of entries exists in the attribute certificate list700.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of an attribute certificate420 held in the attribute certificate list 700 used in this embodiment.The attribute certificate 420 mainly includes attribute certificateinformation 421, a signature algorithm 428, and a signature 429. Theattribute certificate information 421 includes an issuing terminalidentifier 424, an owner terminal identifier 426, a profile identifier423, a serial number 422, and an expiration date 425.

The issuing terminal identifier 424 indicates a terminal identifier ofan issuing terminal that issues the attribute certificate 420. The ownerterminal identifier 426 indicates a terminal identifier of an ownerterminal that owns the attribute certificate 420. The profile identifier423 indicates a profile identifier of the issuing terminal that issuesthe attribute certificate 420. The serial number 422 indicates a serialnumber of the attribute certificate 420. The serial number 422 isdetermined in accordance with the issuing terminal of the attributecertificate 420. The attribute certificate 420 is uniquely identified inaccordance with the serial number 422 and the issuing terminalidentifier 424. The expiration date 425 indicates an expiration date ofthe attribute certificate 420.

The signature 429 indicates a signature of the issuing terminal of theattribute certificate 420. The signature algorithm 428 indicates asignature algorithm used for the signature 429. The contents of thesignature algorithm 428 are similar to those of the signature algorithm418 of the public key certificate 410, and the signature 429 is acquiredby encrypting a message digest of the attribute certificate information421 in accordance with a private key of the issuing terminal of theattribute certificate 420.

Thus, a message digest is acquired by decoding the signature 429 of theattribute certificate 420 in accordance with a public key of the issuingterminal of the attribute certificate 420. A user of the attributecertificate 420 creates a message digest of the attribute certificateinformation 421 and compares the message digest with a message digestacquired by decoding the signature 429 of the attribute certificate 420in accordance with the public key of the issuing terminal of theattribute certificate 420. Thus, the user is able to verify that thecontents of the attribute certificate information 421 have not beenaltered.

The operation of the wireless terminal 100 in this embodiment isdescribed next with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process performed by the wireless terminal100 in this embodiment. When the operation receiving unit 140 receivesan operation for causing the wireless terminal 100 to enter therevocation operation mode in response to depression of a revoke buttonor the like, the operation status held in the operation status holder150 is changed to the revocation operation mode (step S911). The beacongenerator 160 generates a beacon including the operation status, and thecommunication unit 170 reports the operation status as a beacon toanother wireless terminal (step S912).

It is determined whether or not a wireless terminal adjacent to thewireless terminal 100 entered the revocation operation mode before thetransition of the wireless terminal 100 to the revocation operation mode(step S913). If it is determined in step S913 that no adjacent wirelessterminal entered the revocation operation mode before the transition ofthe wireless terminal 100 to the revocation operation mode, it isdetermined whether or not a wireless terminal adjacent to the wirelessterminal 100 entered the revocation operation mode within apredetermined period of time from the transition of the wirelessterminal 100 to the revocation operation mode to the timeout time (stepS921). If it is determined in step S921 that no adjacent wirelessterminal entered the revocation operation mode within the predeterminedperiod of time from the transition of the wireless terminal 100 to therevocation operation mode to the timeout time, since no wirelessterminal whose attribute certificate is to be revoked exists, therevocation operation mode is released (step S926).

If it is determined in step S921 that an adjacent wireless terminalentered the revocation operation mode within the predetermined period oftime from the transition of the wireless terminal 100 to the revocationoperation mode to the timeout time, the revocation processor 110determines whether or not the wireless terminal is located within adefined range (step S922). In this determination processing, therevocation processor 110 may calculate a distance in accordance with thetime and radio field intensity necessary for communication with thewireless terminal and may determine whether or not the distance iswithin the defined range. Alternatively, the revocation processor 110may specify a positional relationship using directional signals, such asinfrared rays, and may determine whether or not the position is withinthe defined range. If it is determined in step S922 that the wirelessterminal is not located within the defined range, error processing inwhich, for example, the fact that revocation has not been successfullyperformed is indicated on the display unit 180 is performed (step S925).Then, the revocation operation mode is released (step S926).

If it is determined in step S922 that the wireless terminal is locatedwithin the defined range, the revocation processor 110 transmits arevocation request for requesting the wireless terminal to revoke anattribute certificate (step S923). Then, it is determined whether or nota revocation acknowledgment indicating that the attribute certificatehas been revoked is received from the wireless terminal within thepredetermined period of time from the transition of the wirelessterminal 100 to the revocation operation mode to the timeout time (stepS924). If it is determined in step S924 that a revocation acknowledgmentis received from the wireless terminal within the predetermined periodof time from the transition of the wireless terminal 100 to therevocation operation mode to the timeout time, since the revocationprocess has been successfully performed, the revocation operation modeis released (step S926). If it is determined in step S924 that arevocation acknowledgement is not received within the predeterminedperiod of time before the timeout time, the error processing isperformed (step S925). Then, the revocation operation mode is released(step S926).

If it is determined in step S913 that an adjacent wireless terminalentered the revocation operation mode before the transition of thewireless terminal 100 to the revocation operation mode, it is determinedwhether or not a revocation request is received within the predeterminedperiod of time from the transition of the wireless terminal 100 to therevocation operation mode to the timeout time (step S931). If it isdetermined in step S931 that a revocation request is not received, sinceno wireless terminal that requests revocation of an attributecertificate exists, the error processing is performed (step S925). Then,the revocation operation mode is released (step S926).

If it is determined in step S931 that a revocation request is receivedwithin the predetermined period of time from the transition of thewireless terminal 100 to the revocation operation mode to the timeouttime, the revocation processor 110 determines whether or not thewireless terminal that transmitted the revocation request is locatedwithin the defined range (step S932). In this determination processing,as described above, the revocation processor 110 may determine whetheror not the wireless terminal is located within the defined range bycalculating a distance or by using a directional signal. If it isdetermined in step S932 that the wireless terminal is not located withinthe defined range, the error processing is performed (step S925). Then,the revocation operation mode is released (step S926).

If it is determined in step S932 that the wireless terminal is locatedwithin the defined range, the revocation processor 110 deletes acorresponding entry in the attribute certificate list 700 and theattribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 600 (step S933). Then, therevocation processor 110 transmits a revocation acknowledgment to thewireless terminal from which the revocation request is received (stepS934). Then, the revocation processor 110 selects an entry from amongentries held in the attribute certificate list 700, and causes theoperation group identifier holder 130 to hold a group identifierdescribed as the issuing terminal group identifier 702 of the selectedentry (step S935). Thus, the beacon generator 160 generates a beaconincluding a new group identifier.

After the above-described processing is completed, the revocationoperation mode is released (step S926). In a beacon after the revocationoperation mode is released, the revocation operation mode 438 of theoperation mode 436 indicates “not in the revocation operation, mode”.Thus, when a wireless terminal whose operation group identifier holder130 holds a group identifier corresponding to the operation groupidentifier 433 receives the beacon, mutual authentication starts.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an entry deletion process in this embodiment.If it is determined in step S932 in FIG. 9 that the wireless terminalfrom which the revocation request is received is located within thedefined range, the revocation processor 110 determines whether or not anentry in which the issuing terminal group identifier 702 of theattribute certificate list 700 corresponds to a group identifier held inthe operation group identifier holder 130 (step S941) exists. If it isdetermined in step S941 that a corresponding entry exists, the entry isdeleted (step S942). Thus, a corresponding attribute certificate isdeleted.

The revocation processor 110 determines whether or not an entry in whichthe authentication group identifier 606 in theattribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 600 corresponds to a groupidentifier held in the operation group identifier holder 130 exists(step S943). If it is determined in step S943 that a corresponding entryexists, the entry is deleted (step S944). Thus, a public key certificateused for verification of the deleted attribute certificate is alsodeleted.

An operation example of the wireless communication system according tothis embodiment is described next with reference to FIG. 11.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a connection state between the wirelessterminals A and B in the wireless communication system according to thisembodiment. In this connection state, the wireless terminals A and Bform a network group in accordance with the authority of an attributecertificate issued by the wireless terminal A.

In this example, an attribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 610represents the attribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 600 of thewireless terminal A, and an attribute-certificate-issuing terminal list620 represents the attribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 600 ofthe wireless terminal B. In addition, an attribute certificate list 710represents the attribute certificate list 700 of the wireless terminalA, and an attribute certificate list 720 represents the attributecertificate list 700 of the wireless terminal B. In addition, anadjacent terminal list 510 represents the adjacent terminal list 500 ofthe wireless terminal A, and an adjacent terminal list 520 representsthe adjacent terminal list 500 of the wireless terminal B.

In this example, for example, the left column of theattribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 610 of the wireless terminalA corresponds to the issuing terminal group identifier 602 of theattribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 600, the center column ofthe attribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 610 corresponds to theowner terminal identifier 416 of the issuing terminal public keycertificate 605 of the attribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 600,and the right column of the attribute-certificate-issuing terminal list610 corresponds to the authentication group identifier 606 of theattribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 600. In addition, forexample, the left column of the attribute certificate list 710 of thewireless terminal A corresponds to the issuing terminal group identifier702 of the attribute certificate list 700, and the right column of theattribute certificate list 710 corresponds to the attribute certificate705 of the attribute certificate list 700. In addition, for example, theleft column of the adjacent terminal list 510 of the wireless terminal Acorresponds to the terminal identifier 502 of the adjacent terminal list500, the center column of the adjacent terminal list 510 corresponds tothe operation group identifier 503 of the adjacent terminal list 500,and the right column of the adjacent terminal list 510 corresponds tothe revocation operation mode 507 of the adjacent terminal list 500.

The wireless terminal A owns an attribute certificate issued by thewireless terminal A and a public key certificate of the wirelessterminal A that is necessary for verification of the attributecertificate. The wireless terminal A also owns a public key certificateof the wireless terminal C (not shown) that was acquired by exchangewith the wireless terminal C. The operation group identifier holder 130of the wireless terminal A holds a terminal identifier and a profileidentifier “1” of the wireless terminal A. In addition, the operationstatus holder 150 of the wireless terminal A holds information (OFF)indicating that the wireless terminal A is not in the revocationoperation mode. Such information is reported to adjacent terminals usinga beacon. In this example, only the wireless terminal B is registered asan adjacent terminal that is adjacent to the wireless terminal A.

The wireless terminal B owns attribute certificates issued by thewireless terminal A and a wireless terminal X (not shown) and public keycertificates of the wireless terminal A and the wireless terminal X thatare necessary for verification of the attribute certificates. Thewireless terminal B also owns a public key certificate of the wirelessterminal C that was acquired by exchange with the wireless terminal A.Similar to the wireless terminal A, the operation group identifierholder 130 of the wireless terminal B holds a terminal identifier and aprofile identifier “1” of the wireless terminal A, and the operationstatus holder 150 of the wireless terminal B holds information (OFF)indicating that the wireless terminal B is not in the revocationoperation mode. Such information is reported to adjacent terminals usinga beacon. In this example, only the wireless terminal A is registered asan adjacent terminal that is adjacent to the wireless terminal B.

FIG. 12 is a sequence flow diagram showing a revocation processperformed by the wireless terminal A and the wireless terminal B in thewireless communication system according to this embodiment. When arevoke button or the like of the wireless terminal A is pressed, thewireless terminal A enters the revocation operation mode (step 811). Thetransition to the revocation operation mode is reflected in a beacon,and is reported to the wireless terminal B (step 812). The wirelessterminal B receives the beacon (step 821). Thus, the wireless terminal Bknows that the wireless terminal A has entered the revocation operationmode.

Then, when a revoke button or the like of the wireless terminal B ispressed, the wireless terminal B also enters the revocation operationmode (step 822). The transition to the revocation operation mode isreflected in a beacon, and is reported to the wireless terminal A (step823). The wireless terminal A receives the beacon (step 813). Thus, thewireless terminal A knows that the wireless terminal B has entered therevocation operation mode.

The wireless terminal A knows that the wireless terminal B entered therevocation operation mode after the transition of the wireless terminalA to the revocation operation mode. Then, the wireless terminal A checkswhether or not the wireless terminal B is located within a defined range(step 814). If the wireless terminal B is located within the definedrange, the wireless terminal A transmits to the wireless terminal B arevocation request for requesting revocation of an attribute certificate(step 815).

The wireless terminal B receives the revocation request from thewireless terminal A (step 824), and checks whether or not the wirelessterminal A is located within a defined range (step 825). If the wirelessterminal A is located within the defined range, the wireless terminal Bdeletes a corresponding entry in each of the attribute certificate list700 and the attribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 600 (step 826).More specifically, an entry including an attribute certificate issued bythe wireless terminal A is deleted from the attribute certificate list700, and entries including public key certificates of the wirelessterminal A and the wireless terminal C are deleted from theattribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 600.

The wireless terminal B transmits a revocation acknowledgment to thewireless terminal A (step 827). Then, the wireless terminal B selects anentry of a wireless terminal X remaining in the attribute certificatelist 720, and a group identifier of the wireless terminal X is set tothe operation group identifier holder 130 (step 828).

Then, the wireless terminal B releases the revocation operation mode(step 829). The wireless terminal A receives the revocationacknowledgment from the wireless terminal B (step 816), and the wirelessterminal A releases the revocation operation mode (step 817). Thus,beacons of the wireless terminals A and B indicate that the wirelessterminals A and B are not in the revocation operation mode (steps 818,831, 832, and 819). In addition, an operation group identifier of thebeacon of the wireless terminal B is changed so as to include theterminal identifier of the wireless terminal X.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a state after the revocation process isperformed by the wireless terminal A and the wireless terminal B in thewireless communication system according to this embodiment. Comparedwith the state shown in FIG. 11, an entry including an attributecertificate issued by the wireless terminal A is deleted from theattribute certificate list 700 (the attribute certificate list 720), andentries including public key certificates of the wireless terminal A andthe wireless terminal C are deleted from theattribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 600 (theattribute-certificate-issuing terminal list 620).

Thus, according to this embodiment, since the operation receiving unit140 of each of two wireless terminals receives an operation for revokingan attribute certificate, the revocation processor 110 of one of thewireless terminals transmits a revocation request, and the revocationprocessor 110 of the other one of the wireless terminals that receivesthe revocation request revokes the attribute certificate. A user maygive an instruction using a revoke button or the like. Thus, the presentinvention can be applied to a portable apparatus including a simple userinterface.

In the foregoing embodiment, one of two wireless terminals that firstenters a revocation operation mode transmits a revocation request, andthe other one of the wireless terminals that receives the revocationrequest revokes an attribute certificate. However, the present inventionis not limited to this. One of wireless terminals that enters arevocation operation mode after transition of the other one of thewireless terminals to the revocation operation mode may transmit arevocation request, and the other one of the wireless terminals thatreceives the revocation request may revoke an attribute certificate. Inaddition, when a revoke button of a wireless terminal is pressed, thewireless terminal may delete an attribute certificate of the wirelessterminal itself.

The foregoing embodiments are merely examples. Although thecorrespondence between features of claims and embodiments are describedbelow, the present invention is not limited to the foregoingembodiments. Various changes can be made to the present inventionwithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

That is, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a terminalcorresponds to, for example, wireless terminals 11, 12, or 100.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an operationstatus holder corresponds to, for example, the operation status holder150. In addition, an operation receiving unit corresponds to, forexample, the operation receiving unit 140. In addition, a report signalreceiving unit and a revocation request receiving unit correspond to,for example, the communication unit 170. In addition, a revocationrequest transmitting unit and a revocation executing unit correspond to,for example, the revocation processor 110.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an operationstatus holder corresponds to, for example, the operation status holder150. In addition, an operation receiving unit corresponds to, forexample, the operation receiving unit 140. In addition, a report signalreceiving unit corresponds to, for example, the communication unit 170.In addition, a revocation processor corresponds to, for example, therevocation processor 110.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an operationstatus holder corresponds to, for example, the operation status holder150. In addition, an operation receiving unit corresponds to, forexample, the operation receiving unit 140. In addition, a revocationrequest receiving unit corresponds to, for example, the communicationunit 170. In addition, a revocation processor corresponds to, forexample, the revocation processor 110.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, processing forcausing a first terminal to enter a revocation operation modecorresponds to, for example, the processing of step S911. In addition,processing for receiving a report signal indicating whether or not asecond terminal has entered the revocation operation mode correspondsto, for example, the processing of step S913. In addition, processingfor transmitting to the second terminal a revocation request forrequesting revocation of an attribute certificate of the second terminalwhen a report signal receiving unit receives the report signalindicating that the second terminal entered the revocation operationmode within a predetermined period of time from the transition of theoperation status of the first terminal held in an operation statusholder to the revocation operation mode corresponds to, for example,steps S921 and S923.

In the foregoing embodiments, a case where an attribute certificate isused as security configuration parameters has been described by way ofexample. However, security configuration parameters are not necessarilyan attribute certificate. For example, security configuration parametersmay be parameters used in a wireless system, such as the IEEE 802.11wireless LAN, (for example, a pre-shared key, a public key certificate,a password, a personal identification number (PIN) code, or a networkidentifier, such as a service set ID (SSID)).

The processing steps described in the foregoing embodiments may beregarded as being a method including the processing steps.Alternatively, the processing steps may be regarded as being a programfor causing a computer to execute the processing steps or may beregarded as being a recording medium that stores the program.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1.-17. (canceled)
 18. A wireless mesh communication system comprising: aplurality of terminals that includes a first terminal and a secondterminal and that is connected to at least one wireless mesh network onthe basis of authority of security configuration parameters shared bythe plurality of terminals, wherein each of the first terminal and thesecond terminal includes: operation status holding means for holdinginformation on whether or not an operation status of the terminal itselfhas entered a revocation operation mode, and operation receiving meansfor shifting a mode of the terminal itself so that the operation statusholding means indicates the revocation operation mode when receiving anoperation for causing the terminal itself to enter the revocationoperation mode, wherein the first terminal includes: report signalreceiving means for receiving a report signal indicating whether or notthe second terminal has entered the revocation operation mode, andrevocation request transmitting means for transmitting to the secondterminal a revocation request for requesting revocation of the securityconfiguration parameters of the second terminal when the report signalreceiving means receives the report signal indicating that the secondterminal entered the revocation operation mode within a predeterminedperiod of time from the transition of the operation status of the firstterminal to the revocation operation mode, and wherein the secondterminal includes: revocation request receiving means for receiving fromthe first terminal the revocation request for requesting revocation ofthe security configuration parameters of the second terminal, andrevocation executing means for revoking the security configurationparameters of the second terminal when the revocation request receivingmeans receives the revocation request when the second terminal hasentered the revocation operation mode.
 19. A terminal used in a wirelessmesh communication system in which a plurality of terminals is connectedto at least one wireless mesh network on the basis of authority ofsecurity configuration parameters shared by the plurality of terminals,comprising: operation status holding means for holding information onwhether or not an operation status of the terminal has entered arevocation operation mode; operation receiving means for shifting a modeof the terminal so that the operation status holding means indicates therevocation operation mode when receiving an operation for causing theterminal to enter the revocation operation mode; report signal receivingmeans for receiving a report signal indicating whether or not anotherterminal has entered the revocation operation mode; revocation requesttransmitting means for transmitting to said another terminal arevocation request for requesting revocation of the securityconfiguration parameters of said another terminal when the report signalreceiving means receives the report signal indicating that said anotherterminal entered the revocation operation mode within a predeterminedperiod of time from the transition of the operation status of theterminal held in the operation status holding means to the revocationoperation mode; revocation request receiving means for receiving fromsaid another terminal a revocation request for requesting revocation ofthe security configuration parameters of the terminal; and revocationprocessing means for revoking the security configuration parameters ofthe terminal when the revocation request receiving means receives fromsaid another terminal the revocation request for requesting revocationof the security configuration parameters of the terminal when theterminal has entered the revocation operation mode.